Rotary electric switch



Aug. 8, 1950 Filed June 15, 1948 J. BRASTY ROTARY ELECTRIC SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

JbSEPH BRns TY 1am 'fcSbQAZwM HTmR/vEYs Aug. 1950 J. BRASTY 2,518,219

ROTARY ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 15, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet -2 INVENTOR. LSEPH BRns TY H TTORNE x5 8, 1950 J. BRASTY ,518,

ROTARY ELECTRIC. SWITCH Filed June 15, 1948 :s Sheets-Sheet. 5

FIG. 11

JNVENTOR. (/05L7H 519,457)

Patented Aug. 8, 1950 ROTARY ELECTRIC swrrcn Joseph Brasty, Maple-Heights, Ohio, assignor to Lamp Hardware,1nc., Cleveland, .Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 15, 1948, Serial No. 33,055

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-154) This invention relates to electrical switches, especially to a noiseless easy-acting switch of novel design.

Heretofore there have been many different types of electrical switches'provided and certain of the-switches have received wide commercial success. However, all of the switches known to me have been objectionable in that they make a sound when they are used and many'switches have been provided with special elements which fail and require replacement of the switch. Still other types of switches are of complicated construction and hence are relativelycostly.

The general object of the present invention is to avoid and overcome the foregoin and other disadvantages of and difliculties with present switches and to provide a switch which is characterized by its noiseless but positive switch action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch made from a minimum of parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide an easy acting switch which functions by an arcuate movement of a control member within a confining casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch which is primarily composed of molded plasticparts.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an electric switch which is formed from several parts that are permanently secured together and adapted for a long service life with no maintenance thereof.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become manifest as the specification proceeds.

Attention is directed to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a switch, embodying the principles of the invention, with the cap plate thereof removed and with the switch bein indicated assembled in a switch box; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 only with the switch being shown in its ofi position; Fig. 3 is a plan of the switch of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the switch of Fig. 1 and with the cap plate in position; Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the switch of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified switch of the invention; Fig. 7 is a section taken on line l-I of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the contact plate and control arm of the switch of Fig. 6; Figs. 9 through 13 are views similar to Figs. 1 through 5 of the modified type of switch of Figs. 6 through 8, and one side cover plate and one 2 side portion of the switch is removed in Figs. 9 and 10. f i I Referring specifically to the details of the drawings, a switch I0 is provided which is of generally cylindrical contour but which is provided with a flattened surface II that is adapted to engage with a mounting plate 1!, usually metallic, by which the switch I0 is secured to conventional mounting means, such as the switch box indicated at [3. The switch I0 is primarily composed of a body member or casing M, which usually is made from insulating material and may be a molded plastic piece, and which has an arcuate recess 15 of greater than 180 length formed therein so as to provide asegment of an annular portion in the body member l4, which portion is defined by an arcuate edge portion l6.

7 The edge portion I6 is provided with a pair of recesses or notches 11 formed therein. These notches I! are spaced circumferentially of the edge portion l6 and are bridged by slotted connector sections it formed integrally with the member 14 so as to form anchoring means for a pair of U-shaped metallic contact elements l9, one of which is engaged with each of the notches II. The contacts l9 are in telescoped engagement with the notches l1 and sections l8gthereof and each of the contacts carries a binding screw 2| engaged with the side thereof positioned radially outwardly of the switch Ill. The binding screws 2i are adapted to protrude through the contacts l9 into engagement with slots 22 formed in the sections 18 so that lead wires can be readily engaged with the switch Ill of the invention. Y

As a salient feature of the invention, a control lever or handle 23 having an arcuate shaped inner end 24 is received in the recess I5 in the body member M for limited arcuate movement. Normally the end 24 of the handle 23 is of complementary shape to the recess l5 but substantially similar action could be provided, if desired,

by use of aribbed end on the handle, or a handle support which had spiders or legs formed thereon to position it centrally of the body recess and permit arcuate movement therebetween.. Normally thehandle 23 is also made from a molded plastic insulating material. The innermost edge surface 25 of the handle 23 is formed of zig zag or ribbed contour and more or less forms a chord with relation to the recess l5 in the body member I4.

So as to obtain a sliding switch action which is positively controlled by the handle 23, a resilient contact strip 26 is positioned within the recess l5 and confined therein by engagement with the end surface 25 of the handle 23. This contact strip 25 preferably is of zig zag shape in longitudinal cross section and the end portions of the contact 25 are bent inwardly with relation to the recess I5. Since the notches l1 and contacts l9 are so formed as to position the inner legs of the contacts l5, substantially tangent to the recess I5, it is possible to obtain a smooth, noiseless passage of the contact strip 25 into engagement therewith and out of engagement with these contacts. As the ends of the contact strip 26 are not positioned immediately adjacent the notches l1,

and since the contacts l9 are substantially flush with the surface of the recess l5, it will be seen that the contact strip 26 will not bind with relation to the rest of the switch of the invention and will smoothly and noiselessly move in an arc with relation to the recess l5 by means of arcuate movement of the control member 23.

The mounting plate I2 is provided with a plurality of holes and slots 21 therein which may be used to secure the switch in in its operative position in a wall bracket or the like. The mounting plate l2 has a side plate 28 formed integrally therewith. which plate has a plurality of holes 29 formed at spaced longitudinal portions thereof.

In order to retain the elements of the switch l together and to position the switch on the plate I2, conventional devices, such as rivets 3| may be used to secure a cap plate 32 to the body member or casing l4 and the entire switch element to, the mounting plate l2. That is, the rivets 3| extend through holes 33 formed in the cap plate 32, through holes 34 in the body member and through the holes 29 in the side plate 28 of the mounting plate. Hence the cap plate 32 retains the control handle 23 in engagement with the recess I4 and likewise retains the contact elements IS in close association with the notches l1 and the contact strip 26 within the portion of the recess l5 left exposed by the control handle 23..

From the foregoing, it should be observed that the switch H) of the invention primarily comprises only three parts, the body member l4, control handle 23 and cap plate 32, all of which may be made from suitable insulating material and usually are formed as molded parts. The body member or casing I4 is adapted to position the contacts IS with one surface thereof forming substantially a continuation of the surface of the recess l5 so that the contact strip will slide smoothly thereover. Of course, the recess I5 may be of any desired length, although by forming it over 180 in length, a gripping action is effected on the end 24 of the control handle 23 and it permits smooth, arcuate movement of the control handle to effect desired make-and-break connection of any conventional electrical conductors that are secured to the contacts l9 by the screws 2|.

suitable material and an insulating inlay could be provided for the recess [5. The contact strip 25 preferably has curved end portions that engage the contacts 13 and prevent any binding be- 4 tween the edge surfaces of the notches l1 and the strip 28, which is made from any desired material.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a. modified type of switch embodying the principles of the invention. this instance. a molded switch body 40 is .provvided, which switch body is usually formed from any desired plastic insulating material. In this instance, the switch body 40 has an arcuate recess 4| formed in it at its upper surface. This recess 4| is of substantially greater width than it is in depth and comprises the greater portion of a circle, approximatel five-sixths of a circle, so that the upper portions of the switch body defining the recess 4| are extended laterally inwardly'of the recess and partially close the mouth of the same. The body 40 has two seating slots or recesses 42 formed therein at circumferentially spaced portions thereof for engaging with U-shaped contacts 44 that are received in such seating recesses. Fig. 7 best shows that each of the contacts 44 has a contact arm 45 extending therefrom which receives a terminal screw 45 therein so that a lead can be secured to such contact arm. An offset lug 41 is formed on the switch body on each side thereof. These lugs 41 are formed at opposite ends of the switch body on opposite faces thereof and extend laterally outwardly of the switch body to facilitate positioning the contact arms and terminals for the switch.

As a feature of the invention, side cover plates 49 are positioned on each side of the switch body and are received in recesses I49 formed in the upper side portions of the switch body. These side cover plates 43 retain the movable switch element or control handle 50 in engagement with the switch body 40 and are retained in place by a mounting plate 5|, usually formed from metal. This mounting plate 5| has depending, opposed side portions 52 that are adapted to receive, snugly, the switch body 40 and side cover plates 49 therebetween. Fig. 7 best shows that the control handle 50 is thinner than the portions of the body 40 thereadjacent to prevent any binding on the control handle by the side plates. Locking lugs or fingers 53 extend from the side plates 52 at each end thereof. These fingers 53 are adapted to be bent inwardly of the switch body 40 into recesses 54 provided in the switch body so as to lock the components of the switch of the invention together. These fingers 53 can be disengaged from the recesses 54, when desired, so as to disassemble the switch, should such action be desired. As in the previous embodiment of the invention, a springy, metal contact strip 55 is received in the recess 4| in the switch body 40 and its position therein is controlled by the control handle 50 so that the contact strip 55 can smoothly and easily be moved arcuately of the switch so as to open and close connection between the contacts 44 positioned in the switch. Again, the strip 55 has only a spring engagement with the handle 50, but it may be positively secured thereto. if desired.

Fig. 8 best shows that a relatively deep V- shaped notch or recess 5| is formed in the surface of the control handle 50 and that a cerresponding V-shaped portion or projection 62 is formed on the strip 55. The projection 62 seats in recess 6| to aid in retaining the stri and control handle in engagement.

While the arcuate recess in the switch body is adapted to position the control handle for new ate movement, it may be desirable to position the control handles in a more positive manner.

Hence a mounting shaft may be provided for the control handle and extend through the sides of the switch to' position the control handle positively in the switch. Such a mounting shaft 63 is shown and it is retained in engagement with the cover plates 49 by the side plates 52 of the mounting plate. The shaft 63 is received in a bore 64 in the control handle 50 and is supported by engagement with holes 64 in the cover plates 49. It will be appreciated that in some instances the shaft 63 will be omitted and, furthermore, the mounting of the control handle of the invention many even be used with a different relationship between the handle and the contact 55 or the equivalent contact used from that disclosed herein since a separate control for the action of the contact may be desired, i. e. movement of handle 50 would initiate or control movement of contact.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that a novel, effective switch has been provided by the invention and that the objects thereof have been realized.

While several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of these particular embodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

said edge strip, a resilient contact strip of zig zag shape in section, said strip being positioned within said recess and being of proper length to bridge between said contact members within said recess, a handle received in said recess and extending therefrom for limited arcuate movement, said handle frictionally engaging with said contact strip to control its position and move it to and from a position bridging said contact members, and a cap plate secured to said edge strip to retain said handle, contact members and strip within said recess.

2. An electric switch comprising a molded switch body having an arcuate recess formed in a side and edge surface thereof defined by arcuate edge strip of the body, said edge strip being of reduced width and depth at two circumferentially spaced portions thereof, a pair of U- shaped contact members in telescoped engagement with the reduced portions of the said edge strip, a resilient contact strip, said strip being positioned within said recess and being of proper length to bridge between said contact members within said recess, a handle received in said recess and extending therefrom for limited arcuate movement, said handle being associated with said contact strip to control it and move it to and from a position bridging said contact members, and means secured to said body to retain said handle and strip within said recess.

3. A switch as in claim 2 wherein a cover plate is associated with each side of said switch body,

and a mounting plate is engaged with said switch said recess for rotary movement of a limited extent, said handle having an end extending from said switch body for movement between the ends of said recess, a pair of end plates associated with opposed portions of said switch body for retaining said control handle therein, said switch body having recessed portions in the part thereof defining said recess and having offset lugs formed integrally therewith adjacent said recessed portions, contact strips received in the recessed portions of said switch bod andextending therefrom out to the said lugs on said switch body, and a mounting plate for said switch body, said mounting plate having opposed dependent side portions formed thereon, said switch body being received between the said, side portions of said mounting plate, said side portions having locking lugs formed thereon engaging with said switch body to retain same in engagement with the mounting plate.

\ JOSEPH BRASTY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,935,498 Bentley Nov. 14, 1933 1,950,563 Miller Mar. 13, 1934 2,050,705 Krieger Aug, 11, 1936 2,226,850 Foster et al Dec. 31, 1940 2,448,841 Taylor Sept. 7, 1948 2,458,927 Beck Jan. 11, 1949 

